[url=http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?804819-Are-the-Redskins-becoming-more-of-a-Virginia-based-team]Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?[/url] Prosportsdaily

With the news that the Redskins will be keeping their corporate headquarters in Ashburn, VA and will be moving their training camp to Richmond, VA starting next season, are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team as opposed to a DC or Maryland team? The Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell and the Mayor of Richmond, VA Dwight Jones seem to think just that...

D.C. vs. Va. - A battle over the Redskins?
WASHINGTON - Mayor Vincent Gray has made no bones about wanting the Washington Redskins to be more closely attached to D.C.

And now a politician in Loudoun County is reacting.

County Supervisor Shawn Williams wrote a letter to Redskins owner Dan Snyder last week thanking him for continuing to keep the Redskins practice facility in Ashburn.

Williams also re-opened the possibility of building a Redskins hall of fame in Loudoun. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors had previously rejected a similar proposal because of concerns about the use of taxpayer money on the project.

Gray, speaking on WTOP's "Ask the Mayor" program in November, said "we have had discussions with people who are associated with the team."

He said they would like to have the Redskins' training facility in D.C.

At an event last week, Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell couldn't resist taking a jab about the Redskins practicing in Virginia, when he said to Gray, "I didn't wear my Virginia Redskins jacket."

McDonnell was remarking on Md. Gov. Martin O'Malley wearing a Baltimore Ravens jacket in support of that team's making the playoffs.

"Not only is [Redskins football] marvelous entertainment, not only do we live and die with that Sunday afternoon Redskins game, but we also understand what you bring to the Commonwealth of Virginia," McDonnell said, via Redskins.com. "We know you have a D.C. link, we know you play on Sundays in Maryland, but we know you spend most of your time in Ashburn, Virginia. We're very grateful and excited about that."

[url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/BREAKING-Redskins-To-Stay-In-Virginia/3dd4cf2e-de30-4414-9398-2497965fe2fa]BREAKING: Redskins To Stay In Virginia[/url]

Speaking about Virginia’s successful effort to retain Redskins corporate headquarters, and the accompanying expansion of the team’s training facility, as well as the Redskins decision to further the team’s relationship with the Commonwealth by making plans to relocate its annual summer training camp in Richmond starting in 2013, Governor McDonnell noted, “Virginia considers the Redskins our team. The team is based here. The team trains here. The players live here. Virginians root for the Redskins on the field, and off the field the team contributes greatly to the economy and culture of the Commonwealth. Virginia is committed to keeping the Redskins right here in our state for years to come, and today we’ve taken a significant step towards accomplishing that goal. This is a positive and exciting development for football fans from Loudoun County to Richmond to Virginia Beach. It will mean more jobs in our state, and more revenue for state and local coffers. More than anything, it means Virginia will remain ‘Redskins Country.’ In the years ahead I look forward to visiting the new expanded training facility in Loudoun County, and watching the team practice right here in our state capital of Richmond.”

“We’ve actually been in contact with them for quite some time,” Dwight Jones said on Richmond’s ESPN 950. “And actually, the coach really wanted to expand the footprint of the team. They really want to be a Virginia team, and so they really kind of pushed this thing along, even to the point of not having an exact location. They’re signed on for eight years. They have some very specific requirements. We’re gonna meet ‘em. We’re gonna make it happen.”

[url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/rick-snider-not-too-soon-for-redskins-to-consider-new-home/article/2521862]Rick Snider: Not too soon for Redskins to consider new home | WashingtonExaminer.com[/url]

So what's Plan B? Virginia couldn't complete a deal with Cooke in 1992 despite a news conference at Potomac Yards. Richmond lawmakers aren't keen on spending money for a stadium on its border with Washington as the team's name. However, the team's relocation of training camp to Richmond beginning this summer will soften opposition should it remain in the Virginia capital past the 2020 deal.

Potomac Yards is no longer viable, but sources said there are available sites if a deal is made in coming years.

CultBrennan59

02-22-2013 04:24 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

Oh ohh...There it is!

MTK

02-22-2013 04:28 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

Heck of a first post. This was so critical that you had to spam the board with 10 useless one liners eh?

Lotta good information. Excellent first thread. But Skins will always be a DC team, goes back to RFK and superbowls.

I think if they built a stadium in VA, I would have to re think my answer.

12thMan

02-22-2013 04:33 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

Bullsh*t. Talk to folks in VA, especially the Richmond area, they are lukewarm towards a pro-football team. Color me not worried.

CRedskinsRule

02-22-2013 04:35 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

I would say, for all the guys that come on and post 10 one liners just to hock a product, this was a pretty interesting first thread.

Personally, they have been VA based since they located their offices in Ashburn. It's not like they are going to move away completely from the DC Metro area, but VA seems to be more friendly to them, so why not line up there. Seems like a path of least resistance kind of thing.

Chico23231

02-22-2013 04:41 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

I think it comes down to taxes. Virginia = low, Maryland, DC = high. Virginia's more business friendly folks

BigHairedAristocrat

02-22-2013 04:43 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

From a fan-base perspective, I imagine the overwhelming majority of local Redskins fans live in Virginia. No one lives in DC and most people in Maryland like the Ravens.

KERRAKPO9198

02-22-2013 04:49 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

I also really wanted to add a poll in this thread but could not figure out how to do it. If a moderator could please add one that would be great!

Poll Question, Where do you live?

Poll Options,
Washington, DC
Maryland
Virginia
Other State
Other Country

Ruhskins

02-22-2013 04:56 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

Personally I like the current set up of the facilities in VA and the stadium in MD. I'm sure in the future the stadium will move to DC. I just hope they don't put a stadium in VA, sorry but traffic sucks big time in VA, especially in No. VA which is where I am sure a stadium would be.

In the end though, I think this question is a bit irrelevant. Look at the NY Giants and Jets. They are located in Jersey (stadium) and Long Island (Jets' training facilities), yet they are always identified as a NY team.

And BTW, there ARE Redskins fans in Maryland. Growing up in PG County, everyone was a Redskins fan. And living in Columbia, I do see a lot of the Skins faithful up in these parts.

MTK

02-22-2013 05:13 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

Question, why does this matter?

Ruhskins

02-22-2013 05:16 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

[quote=Mattyk;995134]Question, why does this matter?[/quote]

Sort of asked myself the same after posting my previous thread. Just someone wanting to make a splash in their first thread? LOL.

KERRAKPO9198

02-22-2013 05:45 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

Per Taylor36 over at EXTREMESKINS from this thread... [url=http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?379623-Where-do-you-thin-the-skins-new-stadium-will-be]Where do you thin the skins new stadium will be?[/url]

[B][I]They already are. My brother-in-law, who works for Jim Cheng, the Secretary of Commerce for the Commonwealth, told me around Christmas that Virginia has already put together a delegation to work with Snyder and his top brass to get them to build their stadium within the borders of the Virginia (the exact location is still one factor being negotiated). Supposedly, a lot of ground work has been laid already, and verbally behind closed doors, most of a deal has already been done. I guess there are a few factors/issues that need to be ironed out (like location) before stuff starts to move towards paper, and he said some of that will not be cleared up until after November 5 of this year, the date of the VA gubernatorial election. Also, there is a leasing issue that the team has to take care of. But, he said that the thought is a deal could be reach and construction started that may take several years to complete (no need to rush) and could allow for an easy (cheaper) contract breach on the Redskins part.
[/I][/B]

HailGreen28

02-22-2013 05:47 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

[quote=Mattyk;995134]Question, why does this matter?[/quote]Could this be backlash from the DC mayor talking about a name change?

KERRAKPO9198

02-22-2013 05:52 PM

Re: Are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team?

[quote=Mattyk;995134]Question, why does this matter?[/quote]

Because Virginia deserves to have a pro sports team playing within its borders.